Beyond VPNs and Standing Privileges: A Modern Approach to Identity Security
Description:
Attackers do not always break in through the front door. Too often, they move quietly through hidden identity pathways, weak access controls, and seemingly low-risk accounts until they reach privileged access.
In this virtual session, Chris Hills, Chief Security Strategist at BeyondTrust, will explain why traditional, siloed security approaches leave public agencies exposed and why modernizing privileged access management is now essential. Participants will explore how moving beyond legacy practices such as VPN reliance and standing privileges toward passwordless authentication, least privilege enforcement, and unified identity security can reduce risk, strengthen compliance, support cyber insurance requirements, and improve operational efficiency.
The session will also introduce a PAM Maturity Model designed to help cities, counties, and State of Illinois agencies better understand where they are today and how to build a stronger, more secure path forward.
Speakers: Chris Hills
Christopher L. Hills has more than 20 years’ experience as a Technical Director, Senior Solutions Architect, and Security Engineer operating in highly sensitive environments. Chris is a military veteran of the United States Navy and started with BeyondTrust after his most recent role leading a Privileged Access Management (PAM) team as a Technical Director within a Fortune 500 organization. In his current position, he has responsibilities as a Chief Security Strategist (America’s) working with Customer, Marketing, and Executives on Thought Leadership, Market Trends, Company Vision and Strategy. Chris has held the Sr Solution’s Architect, Deputy CTO, and Deputy CISO roles since starting with BeyondTrust. Chris is also co-author in the Cloud Attack Vectors book, a contributor in the New Privileged Attack Vectors book, and editor in previous books. In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family on the water boating, supporting his son’s college football career, going to the sand dunes off-roading.